A lot of rumors and odd pieces of advice get passed around about the ACT and SAT. Straightforward information can be hard to find, and to a lot of students and families there can be an air of mystery around these tests. The decisions of which test, how many and when are all important, so we recommend getting information from a knowledgeable source that can tell fact from fiction!
We’d like to take this opportunity to set the record straight on some common ACT/SAT myths.
Colleges on the East and West Coasts prefer the SAT
All colleges accept both the ACT and SAT and have no preference as to which a student sends in. The decision is left up to the student.
The ACT is easier than the SAT
Different students excel at different types of tests. The ACT more closely mirrors what students learn in school while the SAT is structured to be more of an aptitude test. To decide which test is best for him or her, a student should take a diagnostic test of each and compare the results.
Students should wait to take the ACT/SAT the spring of their junior year
Students can start test preparation as early as the summer before junior year. With fall and winter test options, students have a lot of potential test dates to choose from in addition to the spring dates. Students should put together a plan of which tests they will take and how they will prepare for them.
If a student has good grades, s/he doesn’t need to prep for the ACT/SAT
Just because a student has good grades doesn’t mean s/he will get the score they want on the first try/without preparation. Some students may excel academically but still struggle with test-taking. Taking a diagnostic test before the official test will let a student know what level of preparation s/he will benefit from.
The math on the SAT is harder
It depends on the student.The SAT covers math up to Algebra II while the ACT covers up to Trigonometry. SAT math questions are more focused on problem solving while ACT math questions are more straightforward and aligned with school math. Different students will excel at different tests.
Students should take the ACT if they’re strong in science
The science section of the ACT measures a student’s ability to read charts and graphs and interpret data. There is little need for actual science knowledge to do well on science section of the ACT. Being strong in science may not translate to the ACT science section.
A high score guarantees entrance to the best colleges
Strong test scores will definitely open up the door to more selective colleges but they will not guarantee admittance. Schools look at grades, extracurricular activities, recommendations and a student’s personal statement in addition to test scores to get a well-rounded picture of a student.
Armed with the facts, students and parents can make a more informed decision about what testing experience will be the best for them.
